Execution renews calls to protect Iraqi interpreters
The fate of Iraqi interpreters serving Denmark has become more uncertain after it was discovered that one of their colleagues was tortured and murdered
‘The government has still failed to present a single solid proposal for what it will do to ensure the safety of the interpreters and their families,’
report submitted by: — Dubhaltach
The Foreign Ministry confirmed Monday that an Iraqi interpreter who had served Danish troops in Basra had been abducted, tortured and and killed by insurgents.
Ulla Tørnæs, the minister of development co-operation, stated that the interpreter, Mohammed Ismael, was apparently kidnapped in December while working for an aid agency.
In the days following the announcement, Tørnæs claimed that officials at the ministry failed to inform her about the incident. Law experts noted, however, that Tørnæs was nevertheless responsible for keeping tabs on such an important matter.
The killing was also a stark reminder of the danger the interpreters face on a daily basis for assisting the Danish troops and puts pressure on the government to find a way to protect the interpreters after the scheduled troop withdrawal in August.
The interpreters fear that without the protection of the military they will be hunted down by insurgents, who consider them traitors for helping the coalition.
In January, a group of Danish officers called on the defence minister, Søren Gade, to grant residency permits to the scores of local interpreters who have assisted Danish forces in Iraq.
Although Gade initially refused the call, PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen promised in February that the Iraqi interpreters would not be abandoned. But whether they will be given protection by being allowed to come to Denmark or relocated elsewhere in Iraq has become a matter of intense political debate.
In the meantime, the situation appears to have deteriorated further for the interpreters, as the insurgents who kidnapped Ismael obtained his mobile phone, which contained the phone numbers of other interpreters. Many of them have since gone into hiding after receiving death threats.
While the government’s support party, the Danish People’s Party, has refused to grant the interpreters asylum, the incident underscored the need to reach an agreement before the troops withdraw, according to the party’s defence spokesperson, Hans Kristian Skibby.
‘I think it is extremely unfortunate that we haven’t succeeded in reaching an agreement with the Iraqi authorities yet,’ Skibby told national broadcaster DR.
The opposition Social Democrats and the Socialist People’s Party also sharpened their calls for action.
‘The government has still failed to present a single solid proposal for what it will do to ensure the safety of the interpreters and their families,’ Villy Søvndal, head of the Socialist People’s Party, said. ‘That’s unacceptable.’
Indexed under: Basrah, Negligent homicide, Refugees
It’s seems only fair to give the interpreters a chance for a new safer life abroad. I can only imagine what will happen to the Irakis who have served as interpreters for the US army. I have not heard of any plans to give them asylum in the US.
It’s not much but it’s a start.
thegroundtruth.blogspot.com/search/label/refugee%20crisis
The Ground Truth in Iraq
The link from mls above in clickable form. Yes it’s a start when the invaders are forced to leave those who worked with or for them are going to suffer dreadfully. I have no love for them and regard them as traitors but nobody should suffer a fate as dreadful as that which will befall them.
PS: We moderate comments here - as we regularly get hate comments - one of us has to read and approve it so if your comment does not show up immediately that is why :-)
Thank you Um Thalit for fixing my link.
You are welcome - please do come by again and we do welcome comments.